Maggie Mae and Ian Maurice and I spent almost a week at Virginia Beach with my Cousin Gail and her two grandsons, Niam and Neal. What a good time we had. The kids played so well together and laughed and did projects and it was fun to watch them. This is the third year they’ve seen each other in the Summer.
However,
Ian Maurice and I had an Ocean Adventure. The day we went to the ocean the waves weren’t really very big but they came rather forcefully. Maggie Mae and I had gone out past the break point, though they were braking about at my hip. We had a good time. Ian Maurice asked for a turn and so we went out. I’m not certain how the ocean changed in the 10 minutes or so between them but it did. Ian Maurice wanted me to hold both hands which was a good idea. We started out waiting till there wasn’t a set coming in. Somehow we didn’t make it in time and we got hit, I had tried to lift him over, next thing I know we are on the sand, not deep at all people standing not far from us, but waves crashing on us. I know we made it through two but the third one twisted Ian Maurice out of my grasp and he was apart from me and I’m just rolling in the waves. When I came up after he had been pulled away I shouted for him and the people all said he’s fine and I saw him on the shore before the next three waves washed me. It was like a spin cycle in the waves with enough back tow to keep me from being able to stand. Since my hip I’ve had to stand harder but there were three folks reaching out to pull me up. (I flashed on the YouTube videos of someone getting hit by waves and hoped no one was filming.). Finally I turned enough that I could stand and they pulled me the rest of the way. I kept saying I’m ok I’m not hurt I just can’t get up on my feet. Which was true. I got out and walked up to the umbrella where Gail was standing. Maggie Mae came up and asked if we could go out again and I said I had used most of my energy in the tossing. We had to keep our eyes on Niam and Neil too.
Let’s say I’m glad that’s over. I am thankful I didn’t hurt either hip or my back. I had been in waves like that before so that wasn’t as new as it might seem but that was many many many Moons ago. We have been doing most of our beach swimming at Clearwater on the Gulf where even if they have waves there is no power behind them.
I will however remember the helpless terror I felt when the wave snatched Ian Maurice out of my hands. I will however remember the look of terror on this face between us getting hit by a third wave.
I will remember the relief I felt when I saw him standing up on the beach long before we got out of the water. The whole episode must have lasted no more than 5 minutes from start to finish.
Deep sigh.
We also were very near a lifeguard stand so if there had been more trouble then they could have intervened.
Still. Ian Maurice still trusts me. He wants to “determine himself” when he goes back into the ocean. And we he had a great time swimming in a pool the next day.
Yea, what an adventure!
Thank you God for the people who immediately came to our aid.
God abides, this I know!
Bobbie Giltz McGarey @July 31, 2023, Easton PA
The Spirit Will Tell You 